Beat Writer's Block with this Simple Strategy
Keep Your Writing Fresh and Your Routine Consistent
Writer’s block once haunted my life.
I’ve spent too many hours staring at a blank screen, searching for words, or a scene, or a response to previously written dialogue, and yet the sole activity on the screen is that blinking cursor, taunting my stagnation. Whether it’s novels, essays, or articles on this very platform, there have been times where the ideas in my head seem afraid to dive onto the page. The sentence, paragraph, or even story is as tangible as a hatchling unwilling to fly from its nest. Admittedly, there are even more times when ideas themselves are lost, and it’s a marathon of a struggle to come up with what to write about, let alone how to put it into words.
Writer’s block needs a quick solution if an author wants to improve their craft. In addition to short-term frustration and possibly giving up, the long-term effects of writer’s block can be deceptively damaging. Writing itself is very much a muscle, and just like our arms, chest, and legs, with consistency comes strength and confidence, but with stagnation, any progress, no matter how refined, is susceptible to rust.
So, how does one combat writer’s block? The first and most obvious answer is to embed in your mind the drive to battle through it. If you really love writing, you’ll develop the skill to write even when it’s the last thing you want to do. What a lot of people confuse for writer’s block is actually the lack of motivation to write. Like with every dream job, some people like the fantasy of being an author more than doing the work.
When tasked with putting pen to paper, the doers rise above the dreamers. However, no matter how experienced the author, sometimes the muse is distant, as elusive as recalling a dream. Sometimes inspiration takes the long ride home, and that’s okay, because space from a writing project will improve its quality in the long term. However, taking a break from one project is not an excuse from daily writing, which is why I recommend balancing multiple projects at once.
Even if it’s just two stories, when creative fuel runs low on one, you’ll have a backup tank to ensure your progress as a writer doesn’t faulter. Often times it’s not writer’s block that’s the issue, but fatigue with the project you’ve been obsessing over for weeks or even months. Familiarity can cause a dulling spell, and switching projects can be the creative vacation your mind needs to get better. Think about traveling and how a change of scenery can do wonders for one’s mental state.
Of course, balancing multiple projects can lead to other problems. Going back and forth between two projects means both will take longer to complete than if one received all of your attention. Plus, balancing too many stories at the same time can lead to a scattered schedule, making that already daunting task of becoming an author a bit more intimidating when stories pile up.
I quite literally have at least one idea for a book in every genre, and often times my mind falls into an oblivion of uncertainty, wondering if, when, and how my imaginary bibliography will one day become a reality. It’s a mountain that grows larger with every peak overcome.
To ensure productivity and meaningful progress, when I have creative inspiration for one novel, short story, or essay, I ride that wave of momentum for as long as it lasts, with no distractions or detours. Though switching projects is vital to maintaining a consistent and fresh writing schedule, stories should not be cycled through on a daily basis. Commit to your projects, but consider moving on when the cursor on the screen is more active than your fingers.
So, my brothers and sisters of the written word, finish your darlings. To be a great writer is to have the discipline to carry your projects to the finish line (and maybe do a lap or two extra for good measure). However, when you need a break from your current piece, it does not necessitate a break from writing. There’s a creative spark in every idea; it’s just a matter of unlocking it. Time flies when you’re having fun, and so will your stories too with shock of freshness.